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Monday, July 30, 2007

Lined Apron Tutorial

I was going to call this a child's apron but really you just need to adjust the measurements for the person you are making it for and it can be for any size.

It's also important to let you know that much of what I sew I make up as I go along. There are no hard or fast rules and hopefully after you have made one you can then make different versions using the basic technique and measurements. If you notice something doesn't work let me know. So here goes.........

The Basics

Measurements: these are fairly loose and can depend on how much fabric you have and the size of the person. I know that sounds vague but really, as it ties up it can fit lots of different sizes. I have written metric measurements.

Length: Measure from the waist to the desired length. I don't like these aprons to be too long - just above the knee should be perfect.

Width: Measure from one side of the back around to the other side of the back so that you leave a gap for the bow to sit. You don't want it to cross over at all or the apron will be too big and won't tie properly.

You then need to add extra to the skirt width to allow for the gathering. Again this can depend on how much you want it to gather or how much fabric you have. You may not want it to gather at all which would also be fine. Just leave out Step 4 and cut the skirt the same width as the waistband.

Then add a seam allowance of 1.5cm.

For the Waistband:

Use the same waist measurement for the length of the waistband. For the width 4-5cm is plenty for a child but you may wish to make the adult one a bit wider - anywhere up to 6-7cm wide. Again this is personal choice.

Then add a seam allowance of 1.5cm.

Ties and pocket:

For the pocket it really depends again on how large the person is and how big you want the pocket to be. The finished size of this pocket is 15cm. You will cut two pocket pieces - one out of the lining and one out of the main fabric.

For the ties you need to make them long enough to tie and not so long they hang down. I think around 60-65cm ties are fine. These ties are 5cm wide finished. Remember to add on the 1.5cm seam allowance. This particular version uses the lining and the main fabric - so cut two ties from the main fabric and two from the lining fabric.

For example, these were my apron measurements:

33cm from waist to just above the knee and 56cm around the waist to the mid side back. I then added the seam allowances of 1.5cm on each side and top and bottom and an extra 13cm for the gathering of the skirt.

There are several options for the pocket. If you wish to add ric rac you may sew it straight across the pocket or sew it within the seam so that only half of the ric rac sits out along the edge of the pocket making it into a frilled edge.

Option a: To sew the ric rac flat onto the pocket just pin it in the position you would like it and stitch. Then with right sides facing pin side and top seams leaving the bottom open and stitch

Option b: With right sides facing, sandwich the ric rac between the pocket and the pocket lining along the top seamline and pin (pic 1). Then turn the pocket right side out to see if it is lined up (pic 2). Pin the side seams as well leaving the bottom open and stitch (Pic 3).

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

For both options, trim the seams and clip the corners (Pic 4 & 5). Turn right side out and press the bottom seam allowance up inside the pocket (Pic 6). Press whole pocket (Pic 7).

Pic 4

Pic 5

Pic 6

Pic 7

Step 2: Attaching the pocket

Pin the pocket to the apron front. When positioning, make sure you allow for when it is gathered. Stitch.

I have added a row of ric rac at the bottom of the apron which is also optional. Pin in the position you want it and stitch.

Step 3: The apron skirt

With right sides facing pin the lining to the apron front.

Stitch. Trim seams and clip the corners. Turn right side out, making sure you push out the corners properly, and press.

At this point it is optional whether or not you top stitch. I liked the look of top stitching on this apron.

Step 4: Gathering the skirt

Set your machine stitch length to a long stitch. Without back stitching at the start or the finish sew across the top of the apron skirt. Repeat this just inside the first row of stitching.

Take the bottom thread of each row of stitching and holding the apron skirt pull into a gather. Do this on both sides of the apron skirt until the apron fits the width of the waistband not including the seam allowances.

Step 5: Attaching the waistband

At this point while making the apron I decided that the waistband wouldn't be stiff enough to sit properly so I attached a lightweight interfacing - iron on vilene. Again, this is completely optional. Just cut a piece that measures half the waistband and iron on.

With the right sides facing pin the waistband to the apron skirt making sure the gathers are even. Stitch.

Step 6: Making the ties

With right sides facing pin the ties together leaving one end open. Stitch. Trim seams and clip the corners. Turn right side out, making sure you push the corners out properly, and press.

Step 7: Pleating the ties

To fit the ties into the waistband, I sew in a little pleat at the top of the tie. Just fold and stitch, making sure they are opposite and don't go in the same direction - see the picture.

Step 8: Attaching the ties to the waistband

Fold the waistband in half with the right sides facing. Pin each side sandwiching the ties in the seam. Stitch.

Trim the seam and clip the corners. Turn the waistband right side out and press.

It is now optional whether you hand sew the waistband to the apron skirt lining or top stich it down. On this apron I have top stitched it all the way around. Again it depends on the look you want or how much time you have etc.

I am the person who e-mailed you asking for advice on how to make an apron. I want you to know how much I appreciate you taking the time to do this for all of us. I am so excited! I know this had to be so time consuming and stressful. It is truely amazing when someone creative like you shares their knowledge. Your work is so inspiring as is your kindness! Thanks a million! Jenjenrdh29@yahoo.com

I bought an apron pattern and haven't done a thing with it. The instructions are so vague and confusing, I felt too frustrated to bother. Thank you for writing my ideal apron tutorial! I wish I had time to get started right now. At least I know I will have a chance at success.Also, I saw the doll quilt you made for Marisa, and I think it is absolutley lovely... one of my favorites. She's a deserving and lucky partner!Thank you again for your generous post.

I wanted to add my thanks for taking the considerable time and effort to make this tutorial for everyone to enjoy and learn from. There are some things that I have been struggling with in my own sewing that you just brilliantly cleared up. :)

I just wanted to say thank you so much for the wonderful instructions - I made my first apron from your site using two vintage floral pillowcases as fabric and it turned out perfectly! You are such an inspiration! I love your site : )

Thanks for the great tute! Instead of the ric-rac I added a disgustingly sweet frill. Here is a pic of my creation...http://basilbush.blogspot.com/2008/02/fuction-meets-frilly-fashion.htmlThanks again!

This tut is killer. I made mine from a scrap of fabric and some old sleep pants I love how vintage and 50's it looks. I was wondering if I could post this on the ThreadBanger site to share your genius, or maybe you could if you wanted. Either way thanks for this, it's amazing.

Just finished the first apron and starting on my second. These are Thanksgiving aprons for my girls which will be having Thanksgiving at their home. I live in Ca. and they in N.Y and boston. So that is a little of me on that special day. Pictures of the apron is on flicker (mau112898)

Louise, this is a Lovely tutorial--your grasp of the details astounds and delights me; thank you for your perseverance.

Earlier this year, in one of those "no-pattern-let's-wing-it" modes, I made a reversible lined butcher's apron with ties inset into side seams. Solid orangish-rust polyester with a soft, brushed feel turns over into a gently tie-dyed crinkled cotton. Many remarked on its uniqueness and colors. :)

I made 12 of these aprons for friends this year for Christmas. They turned out great! Thanks so much for the tutorial... I'm a total beginner when it comes to sewing and I was so happy that I was able to actually make something cute!

I love your tutorial. It is VERY easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time to do it for everyone. I will be adding your blog to my following list. And once I make one I'll post it on my blog with a link to you site :) Thank you again

Generation is changing I thought they all are go for readymade no that is wrong now all the proples are most like wear only stitching materials. Because of the fitness and comfortable. Thanks for sharing. MLB2k11